MUNCIE – Some might find it appropriate that a Muncie man who broke into local homes last Christmas Eve — only to be captured by his victims — was sentenced to prison a few days before Christmas.

Dustin J. Samuels, now 31, last week was sentenced to eight years in prison by Delaware Circuit Court 2 Judge Kimbery Dowling after he pleaded guilty to one of two pending burglary charges.

The second count was dismissed under the terms of a plea bargain.

Samuels was arrested about 9 p.m. on Dec. 24, 2013, after members of a Muncie family returned to their southside home and realized someone was inside.

A relative of the homeowner tackled Samuels when he emerged from a window a few minutes later. Co-defendant Tina M. Lofton was also held at the scene until police arrived.

Police said they found prescription medication and a checkbook in Samuels’ pockets that had been stolen from another home nearby.

Samuels has remained in the Delaware County jail since that night, and received credit for nearly a year of pre-sentence incarceration. Dowling also said she would consider reducing his sentence if the Muncie man completes an extensive treatment for substance abusers while in prison.

Co-defendant Lofton’s legal woes have increased since last Christmas.

She faces fraud and theft charges over allegations she last summer repeatedly tried to make purchases — in some cases successfully — with two bank cards that had been stolen from local senior citizens. She allegedly involved her young son in one of her purported schemes.

The 33-year-old Lofton is set to stand trial on burglary charges stemming from the Christmas Eve break-ins on Feb. 9.

Contact news reporter Douglas Walker at (765) 213-5851. You can also follow him on Twitter @DouglasWalkerSP.